THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 30, 22 September 1914, Page 7

THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET.

PARTICULARS OF OPERATIONS AT NEW GUINEA. SHOTS AT THE GERMAN FLEET. NATIVES FIGHT LIKE MANIACS KNOWING NO FEAR. USE OF JAGGED BAYONETS. WHEREABOUTS OF THE GERMAN SHIPS KNOWN. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] (Received 3.15.p.m.) Sydney, September 21. Further news of the operations of the Australian Fleet reached Sydney to-day. It is stated that the wireless station on the Island of Nauru was destroyed. Two German civilian operators were taken prisoners and brought to Syd ney. At Apia a week ago shots were ex changed between portion of the Ger man Pacific Fleet and the Britisl troops, but very little damage wa: done.

At Rabaul the Natives were reported to bo troublesome, and there were several coufliots with the expeditionary, foree stationed there. Mines were laid round Rabaul.

During the fighting, thirteen native of New Britain under German officer fought like mauiacs, rushing right U] to the Australian's firing line. The; showed no signs of fear.

When the Australian ships took possession of Herbertshohe, the enemy used jagged bayonets. It is also alleged they used dumdums. The body of Lieutenant Commander Ellwell, who commanded tbe Royal Naval Reservists, bore a hole largo enough to admit a cocoanut, which was caused by a jagged bayonet. The wireless station on the Caroline Islands was destroyed. It is stated that the Germans now have no installations in the Pacific. The whereabouts of the enemy'h cruisers, Gneisenau, Sharnhorst, Vuremburg, and Leipsic, and the gunboat Geir are known to the Fleet. Messages have been continually interrupted, and it is expected that shortly the ships will be in dire straits owing to lack of coal.

Suva was thoroughly trenched in expectation of a siege, every effort being made' to save the wireless station. In connection with the loss of the submarine it is supposed she struck a reef.